| It's that time again to pay your credit card | | | | Some websites may reserve the right to sell |
| bill, so you head over to your company's | | | | give your information to a third party. |
| website and as you begin scanning your credit | | | | Check the document to see if they allow an |
| card statement, you are shocked to see three | | | | opportunity to "opt-out" of receiving special |
| unauthorized charges. Fortunately, they are | | | | offers from third-party vendors or for |
| small amounts and are easy to get credits | | | | permission to share your personal |
| issued by the company. However, it is | | | | information. |
| unquestionably a wake-up call for you to pay | | | | |
| more attention when you are making online | | | | 5. Always check for a lock symbol in the |
| purchases so that you don't become a victim | | | | status bar at the bottom of your Web browser |
| of Internet fraud. | | | | window. Also, do not provide your personal |
| | | | information if the website address doesn't |
| A record $65.1 billion was spent in 2004 for | | | | start with "https" (a sign that the website |
| online consumer spending. More and more | | | | is using a secure server). |
| people are attracted to the ease of online | | | | |
| shopping and are spending greater amounts. | | | | 6. Always choose only verified sellers. |
| Unfortunately, the probability of becoming a | | | | Check to see if the vendor is a verified |
| casualty of Internet fraud is also | | | | member of a reputable third party such as the |
| escalating. The Internet National Fraud | | | | Better Business Bureau, VeriSign, or Guardian |
| Center Watch declared that the typical loss | | | | eCommerce. These third-party sites help to |
| to fraud victims for just the first half of | | | | ensure online consumers will be protected |
| 2005 was $2,579. This is compared to the | | | | when shopping or conducting e-commerce |
| $895 average for all of 2004. Complaints | | | | transactions. |
| relating to general goods purchases | | | | |
| (merchandise never received or | | | | 7. Always check that the delivery date |
| misrepresented) accounted for 30% of Internet | | | | posted is reasonable. If you have not dealt |
| fraud complaints, and auction purchases | | | | with the vendor on a regular basis, be |
| headed the list at 44%. | | | | cautious of any website that states the |
| | | | shipment will be delayed 20 days or more. |
| While many e-commerce websites are | | | | Delivery dates of 7-10 days are more common. |
| trustworthy and have taken the necessary | | | | |
| safety measures to protect you, it never | | | | 8. Always keep a paper trail of all online |
| hurts to always be careful. If you have | | | | transactions. Print out a hard copy of the |
| decided to make an online purchase, you might | | | | transaction and keep it in a file for future |
| think about these ten simple rules: | | | | reference. |
| | | | |
| 1. Always avoid using an ATM or debit card. | | | | 9. Always be cautious of website offers that |
| Use only one credit card, preferably with a | | | | just sound too good to be true. The Internet |
| low credit limit, when making online | | | | is littered with get rich quick scams and |
| purchases. 2. Always be wary of | | | | false advertising claims. Investigate all |
| unsolicited offers by sellers. The Internet | | | | claims thoroughly before proceeding. |
| National Fraud Information Center Watch | | | | |
| reported that email, as a method of contact | | | | 10. Always contact your state's Department |
| by Internet scammers was up 22% in 2004.While | | | | of Consumer Affairs for further assistance if |
| the offer might be legitimate, spammers like | | | | you do not receive what you paid for, and the |
| to use this tactic to side-step reputable | | | | vendor will not return your emails or calls. |
| sites that provide consumer protection for | | | | |
| online purchases. | | | | These common sense rules about online |
| | | | purchases will eventually become second |
| 3. Always use only reputable e-commerce | | | | nature as you continue to use the Internet. |
| websites that list their street address and | | | | They can also save you untold anguish and |
| telephone number in case you need to get in | | | | alarm when you discover that you've been |
| touch with them directly. | | | | billed for purchases that were never |
| | | | authorized. |
| 4. Always read the website's privacy policy. | | | | |